This year’s GSR marks 10 years of REN21 reporting. Over the past decade the GSR has expanded in scope and depth with its thematic and regional coverage and the refinement of data collection. The GSR is the product of systematic data collection resulting in thousands of data points, the use of hundreds of documents, and personal communication with experts from around the world. It benefits from a multi-stakeholder community of over 500 experts.

To consult REN21’s Renewables Interactive Map for country specific analysis of the various trends highlighted in the GSR click here.

Renewable energy continued to grow in 2014 in parallel with global energy consumption and falling oil prices. Despite rising energy use, global CO2 emissions associated with energy consumption remained stable over the course of the year while the global economy grew. The landmark “decoupling” of economic and CO2 growth is due in large measure to China's increased use of renewable resources, and efforts by countries in the OECD to promote renewable energy and energy efficiency. This is particularly encouraging in view of COP21 later this year in Paris, where countries will announce and/or confirm actions to mitigate climate change, setting the stage for future investment in renewables and energy efficiency.

It is clear that renewables are becoming a mainstreamed energy resource. However while this year’s report clearly documents advancements in the uptake of renewables, it also demonstrates that there remains untapped potential particularly in the heating and cooling and transport sectors. Nevertheless with the implementation of increasingly ambitious targets and innovative policies, renewables can continue to surpass expectations and create a clean energy future.